Ladder Carriers Comparison

Comparison of Job Site Ladder Carriers

Ladder carriers designed for moving ladders around a job site (rather than vehicle-mounted racks) are essential for professionals and DIYers who need to transport ladders efficiently and safely on foot. Below is a comparison of the main types of job site ladder carriers, with their pros and cons.

1. Ladder Mover

Description: A heavy-duty adapter that attaches to a hand truck, transforming it into a high-performance ladder dolly / ladder carrier. It works with any brand, size, or type of ladder and supports multiple carrying positions (flat or side carry). Enables one person to carry multiple ladders and supplies in one easy trip.

Pros:

Universal Compatibility: Works with any brand, size, or type of ladder (extension, step, or multi-position), offering unmatched versatility.
Enhanced Mobility: Steers like a "zero-turn lawn mower", allowing easy navigation of sharp turns, tight spaces, winding walkways, and stairs, unlike ladders with built-in wheels.
Extreme Durability: Survives extreme tests (e.g., being run over by a 4,400-lb vehicle), ensuring reliability for heavy-duty use.
Multi-Ladder and Supply Transport: Can carry multiple ladders and supplies (e.g., lumber, conduit, storm debris) in one trip, tripling productivity for tasks like tree trimming by using the ladder as a platform.
Safety Benefits:
- Reduces back strain by carrying nearly 100% of the load, requiring users to lift only half the ladder's weight during loading, balanced evenly to avoid twisting injuries.
- Improves visibility, allowing users to see both ends of the ladder, reducing collision risks with bystanders or objects.
- Keeps ladders low to the ground, minimizing the risk of contacting overhead power lines and preventing electrocution.
- Helps to prevent damage to your ladder, keeping it in a safe working condition.
Ease of Use: No-tools installation, fast ladder loading, and simple storage on the hand truck when not in use.
Terrain Versatility: Handles extreme terrain, stair climbing, and narrow passages (e.g., doorways) by supporting side or flat carry methods.
Cost-Effective: Priced at $39.99, affordable for both DIYers and professionals.
Protects Ladders: Cradles ladders to prevent damage from rough handling or terrain, extending ladder lifespan.
Energy Efficiency: Saves worker energy by rolling ladders and supplies, allowing more focus on the task.
Additional Help: Provides a hand truck at the job site without doing any extra work to get it there.
Made in the USA: High-quality construction with a computer-modeled design for stability and load distribution.

Cons:

Limited Availability : Not available at your local stores, you can only purchase from the https://laddermover.com website.

Best For: Professionals or DIYers needing a versatile, durable, and safe solution for moving any ladder type around job sites, especially in challenging terrains or tight spaces.

2. Hand-Carried (Manual Carrying)

Description: The traditional method of carrying a ladder by hand or on the shoulder, often by one or two people, without any specialized equipment.

Pros:

No Additional Cost: Requires no equipment, making it the cheapest option if you manage to avoid property damage and personal injury.
Widely Accessible: No tools or accessories needed; most workers can carry a small ladder manually for a short distance.
Flexible Positioning: Can carry the ladder in any orientation (flat, vertical, or tilted) to navigate obstacles.

Cons:

Physically Demanding: Carrying heavy ladders (e.g., 50 lbs) can exert over 100 lbs of force on the spine, increasing the risk of back injuries. Over 1 million U.S. workers experience back injuries annually, often from lifting and carrying.
Limited Visibility: When carried on the shoulder, one end of the ladder is out of sight, increasing the risk of collisions with bystanders or objects, potentially causing injury or property damage.
Electrocution Risk: Carrying a ladder vertically or on the shoulder can lead to contact with power lines, posing a risk of electrocution. Approximately 400 workers are killed annually by electricity, often due to improper ladder handling.
Fatigue: Exhausts workers, reducing energy for tasks and increasing the likelihood of mistakes or accidents.
Inefficient for Multiple Ladders: Carrying multiple ladders or supplies is impractical, often requiring multiple trips or additional workers.

Best For: Small, lightweight ladders for short distances or situations where no equipment is available.

3. Ladder with Built-In Wheels

Description: Some ladders come with built-in wheels (e.g., at the base of extension ladders or step ladders) to allow rolling on flat surfaces.

Pros:

Integrated Design: No additional equipment needed, as wheels are part of the ladder.
Moderate Mobility: Allows rolling on flat, smooth surfaces, reducing carrying effort.
No Setup Required: Ready to use as part of the ladder's design.

Cons:

Limited Maneuverability: Built-in wheels struggle with sharp turns, tight spaces, or uneven terrain, making navigation difficult.
Terrain Limitations: Ineffective on rough surfaces, stairs, or extreme terrain, as wheels are typically small and not designed for rugged conditions.
Weight Restrictions: Ladders with wheels are not designed to carry additional supplies or multiple ladders, limiting versatility.
Fixed Positioning: Wheels are fixed at one end, reducing flexibility in balancing or adjusting the load.
Added Cost: Each ladder has its own set of wheels, adding additional cost to your ladder stock.
Potential Damage: Dragging ladders over rough surfaces can damage the ladder or wheels, shortening their lifespan.

Best For: Lightweight ladders on flat, smooth job sites with minimal obstacles, such as indoor settings.

4. Standard Hand Truck (Without Ladder Mover Adapter)

Description: A general-purpose hand truck (or dolly) used to transport ladders by resting one end of the ladder on the hand truck and securing them with straps or bungees.

Pros:

Versatile: Can be used for ladders and other job site materials (e.g., boxes, tools), making it a multi-purpose tool.
Widely Available: Hand trucks are common and can be purchased at most hardware stores.
Moderate Cost: More affordable than specialized ladder carriers, with basic models starting at $50 - $100.
Load Support: Carries about half of the ladder's weight, reducing physical strain compared to hand-carrying.

Cons:

Awkward Handling: Not designed specifically for ladders, so ladders are attached at one end only, requiring a much longer turning radius.
Limited Compatibility: Not designed specifically for ladders, making attachment awkward and unsafe.
Ladder Damage: The hand truck can damage the ladder making it unsafe to climb.
Setup Time Consuming: Securing ladders on a standard hand truck is awkward and time consuming.

Best For: Not recommended for transporting ladders due to risk of damaging your ladder, making it unsafe to climb. The toeplate can score the ladder such that it fails during climbing.

Summary Comparison Table

Ladder Carrier Type	Pros	Cons	Best For
Ladder Mover	Universal compatibility, enhanced mobility, durable, safe, cost-effective	Only available at https://laddermover.com website	Versatile job site mobility for any ladder type in challenging conditions
Hand-Carried	No cost, widely accessible, flexible positioning	Physically demanding, limited visibility, electrocution risk, fatiguing	Small, lightweight ladders for short distances with no equipment available
Ladder with Built-In wheels	Integrated, moderate mobility, no setup required	Limited maneuverability, terrain limitations, fixed wheels	Lightweight ladders on flat, smooth job sites (e.g., indoor use)
Standard Hand Truck	Versatile, widely available, moderate cost, load support	Could damage your ladder making it unsafe	Not recommended for ladder movement

Key Considerations for Choosing a Job Site Ladder Carrier

Ladder Type and Size: The Ladder Mover's universal compatibility makes it ideal for any ladder, while ladders with built-in wheels work best in doors, and standard hand trucks may damage your ladder.
Terrain and Environment: The Ladder Mover excels in extreme terrain, stairs, and tight spaces, while ladders with built-in wheels and standard hand trucks are limited to flat, smooth surfaces. Hand-carrying is versatile but risky and fatiguing.
Safety Needs: The Ladder Mover significantly reduces risks of back injury, damaged ladders, collisions, and electrocution by improving visibility and keeping ladders low. Hand-carrying poses the highest risks, followed by standard hand trucks and built-in wheels.
Budget: Ladder Mover is affordable at $39.99.
Workload: The Ladder Mover supports multiple ladders and supplies in one trip, ideal for high-productivity tasks like debris hauling. Other methods are less efficient, often requiring multiple trips or workers.
Frequency of Use: The Ladder Mover's durability and ease make it suitable for daily professional use, while hand-carrying or built-in wheels may suffice for occasional DIY tasks.

Conclusion

The Ladder Mover stands out as the most versatile and safe job site ladder carrier, offering universal compatibility, superior maneuverability, and significant safety benefits (e.g., reduced back strain, improved visibility, and lower electrocution risk). Its ability to handle multiple ladders and supplies, navigate challenging terrains, and protecting ladders makes it ideal for professionals and DIYers working in diverse environments. Hand-carried methods are risky and inefficient, suitable only for minimal use. Ladders with built-in wheels are convenient but limited by terrain and maneuverability.

For more details on the Ladder Mover, visit https://laddermover.com.